Hand soaps or hand washes help get rid of bacteria, viruses, grime, and dirt stuck to our hands. In addition to removing germs and keeping the hands clean, many hand soaps today are also designed to keep hands soft and moisturized in the process.
Crudely speaking, hand soaps are made by combining fat or oil with alkali. This means that hand soaps are not necessarily vegan and may contain a variety of fats and emollients from animals. Soaps may also be enriched with animal-derived extracts such as honey.
To help you find cruelty-free vegan hand soaps, we have made a collection of the best vegan hand soaps in 2024. From vegan liquid hand soaps to vegan soap bars, here are our favorite vegan hand washes to keep your hands clean and happy.
Best Vegan Hand Soaps
These hand soaps are all vegan and cruelty-free.
- Ouai Moisturizing Hand Wash
- Aesop Resurrection Hand Wash
- Crate 61 Avocado Grapefruit Bar Soap
- Method Vetiver + Amber Hand Soap
- Nest Wild Mint & Eucalyptus Liquid Soap
- Jean & Len Rosemary Ginger Hand Soap
- Attitude Orange Leaves Hand Soap
- Muse Hand Ritual Lavender Hand Soap
1. Ouai Moisturizing Hand Wash
Ouai Moisturizing Hand Wash is the best vegan hand soap. It has an amazing citrusy floral scent and it makes the hands feel clean without stripping the skin. The natural vegan hand wash is rich in nourishing oils and we love the gentle exfoliating effect of jojoba beads.
The vegan soap is also free of harsh chemicals like parabens, phthalates, and harmful sulfates. It comes in a creamy white minimalist bottle that looks beautiful in most bathrooms and kitchens. And it has an eco-friendly refillable pouch available for it.
- What we like: best scent, moisturizing, beautiful bottle
- What we don’t like: it’s expensive
Key ingredients: jojoba esters, castor oil, avocado, rosehip, jojoba seed oils| Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, SLS-free, SLES-free, mineral oil-free, gluten-free, refill available | Average rating: 4.3/5 | Price: $32 (16 oz)
2. Aesop Resurrection Hand Wash
Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash is another vegan hand soap we love. It’s as luxurious as the Ouai soap if not more. It has such an expensive citrusy woody scent. The vegan liquid soap makes the hands feel perfectly cleansed and refreshed without drying them out.
- What we like: luxurious and refreshing wash
- What we don’t like: it’s expensive
Key ingredients: mandarin rind, rosemary leaf, cedar atlas, orange, lavender| Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, synthetic dye-free, made in Australia, certified B Corporation, refill available | Average rating: 4.6/5 | Price: $41 (16.9 oz)
3. Crate 61 Avocado Grapefruit Bar Soap
Crate 61 Avocado Grapefruit Bar Soap is the best vegan bar soap. It’s 100% natural, plastic-free, and made with high-grade plant oils such as coconut oil, avocado oil, and sustainable palm oil. It has the richest lather and a great fresh scent. It makes the hands soft and moisturized.
- What we like: zero-waste, natural ingredients, nice lather
- What we don’t like: Amazon only sells 3-packs
Key ingredients: coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, shea butter, pink grapefruit oil, palm oil | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, natural, organic, chemical-free, filler-free, RSPO-certified sustainable palm oil, zero waste, plastic-free, biodegradable paper packaging, made in Canada | Average rating: 4.7/5 | Price: $9.99 (3-pack)
Shop on: Amazon, Official site
4. Method Vetiver + Amber Hand Soap
Method’s Vetiver + Amber is the best affordable vegan hand soap. It lathers well, cleanses well, and smells amazing with warm aromatic notes. This aluminum bottle looks so aesthetic, especially next to dark faucets and cabinets. We also like that the scent and bottle are unisex.
- What we like: affordable, great lather, unisex
- What we don’t like: bottle can dent
Key ingredients: aloe vera, vegan glycerin, vitamin E | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, plant-based, paraben-free, phthalate-free, eco-friendly aluminum packaging, refill available | Average rating: 4.4/5 | Price: $6.99 (12 oz)
5. Nest Wild Mint & Eucalyptus Liquid Soap
Nest is a luxury fragrance and home scent brand from New York. Not all Nest’s products are vegan but their liquid hand soaps are! Our favorite vegan hand soap of theirs is Wild Mint & Eucalyptus. It has the most refreshing scent ever. Plus, we love the elegant packaging.
- What we like: very refreshing, non-drying
- What we don’t like: some pumps leaky
Key ingredients: wild mint, eucalyptus, basil, Thai ginger, aloe, sunflower extract, rice bran extract | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, made in the USA | Average rating: 4.5/5 | Price: $26 (10 oz)
Shop on: Amazon, Official site
6. Jean & Len Rosemary Ginger Hand Soap
Jean & Len Rosemary Ginger Hand Soap is one of our new finds. It has the most intoxicating spicy scent that lingers nicely. This vegan hand soap also has a pleasant texture and it cleanses without stripping or leaving residue. Their Raspberry Rhubarb soap is also good.
- What we like: amazing ginger scent, nice texture
- What we don’t like: the scent is overpowering for some
Key ingredients: panthenol, vegan glycerin, coconut acid | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, silicone-free, microplastic-free, made in Germany | Average rating: 4.6/5 | Price: $13 (8.4 oz)
Shop on: Amazon, Official site
7. Attitude Orange Leaves Hand Soap
Attitude’s Orange Leaves is the best vegan hand soap for sensitive skin. It’s hypoallergenic, EWG-verified, and made with antioxidant-rich orange leaf extract. For very sensitive skin, we also love their fragrance-free vegan hand soap with soothing chamomile and oat extracts.
- What we like: hypoallergenic, non-drying, mild scent
- What we don’t like: contains fragrance
Key ingredients: orange leaf extract, moringa seed extract, vegan glycerin | Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, biodegradable formula, dermatologically tested, EWG-verified, hypoallergenic, refill available | Average rating: 4.6/5 | Price: $7.95 (16 oz)
8. Muse Hand Ritual Lavender Hand Soap
Hand Ritual from Muse Bath Apothecary is the most soothing vegan hand wash. It’s plant-based, paraben-free, EDTA-free, and enriched with natural lavender fragrance for a mindful washing experience. The vegan liquid soap is locally made in California.
- What we like: soothing scent, lathers well
- What we don’t like: quite watery texture
Key ingredients: vegan glycerin, lavender fragrance| Features: vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, EDTA-free, pH-balanced, sustainably sourced ingredients, made in the USA| Average rating: 4.4/5 | Price: $13 (16 oz)
Main image: courtesy of Ouai
